O'Harra, Margaret B.

Margaret B. O'Harra, 89, of 908 Willow St., Iowa City, died Wednesday, July 21, 2010, at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City. In accordance with Margaret's wishes, a private family gathering will take place in her memory.

Margaret Bittner was born April 20, 1921, in Iowa City, the daughter of Robert and Anna (Worrell) Bittner. She attended Iowa City schools, graduating from City High School with the class of 1939. On Feb. 24, 1942, she was united in marriage to Irving A. “Bus” O'Harra at Fort Lewis, Wash., where he was stationed during the service. The couple returned to Iowa City, where she worked as a cashier at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics for a number of years until she enrolled at the University of Iowa, where, in 1959, she received her degree in education. For 23 years she taught school at Horace Mann Elementary here in Iowa City, retiring in 1981.

In their retirement years Bus and Margaret enjoyed camping in the Big Horn Mountains of Wyoming in the summer and spending winter months in the Rio Grande Valley near Mission, Texas with so many other Iowa City snowbirds!

Margaret's family includes her two daughters, Margaret E. O'Harra Helble and husband Leon of Iowa City and Dale L. O'Harra Wenburg and husband Andrew of Sheridan, Wyo.; one son, Brian D. O'Harra and wife Annette of Iowa City; four grandchildren, Stacey Helble Mrozinski and husband Gerald, Patrick M. O'Harra and wife Elizabeth, Kelly L. O'Harra Romig and husband Bryan and Scott W. Wenburg; six great-grandsons, Danan J. and Joshua D. Delsing, Nikolos J. Mrozinski, Benjamin A. and Alexander M. Romig and Liam J. O'Harra; and two great-granddaughters, Morgan Mrozinski and Emily L. Romig. Also surviving are foster daughter, Anna White and husband Robert, and her two sons, Eric and Daniel Bell.

Margaret was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Irving Arthur O'Harra; granddaughter, Heidi A. Wenburg; and grandson, John T. Helble.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in her memory to Iowa City Hospice, 1025 Wade St., Iowa City, IA 52240.

Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service is caring for Margaret's family and her arrangements.